In the 11-year period of 2005 through 2015, canines killed 360 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 64% (232) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Family Owned Pit BullUPDATE 02/19/14: In a Tuesday update by KXAN, it was revealed that the child's family also owned a pit bull.1 "The Mayes family had their own pit bull that neighbors and family members say is friendly, and the kids play with it all the time," states the article. Details remain sparse partly because the local paper, the Temple Daily Telegram, is behind a paywall. Today, the Killeen Daily Herald noted that the attacking female pit bull also had two puppies at the time of the incident.

The child's mother, Cherella Lyles, said she left her daughter in the bedroom watching cartoons before the attack. No one realized the toddler was missing until it was too late. "She snuck out the back door to play with the puppies," Lyles said. "The mother of the puppies attacked my baby," she said. What Lyles neglected to add was that the mother was a chained female pit bull temporality staked out in the family's backyard, unfamiliar to the child -- a catastrophe scenario.

02/17/14: Child Killed by Pit Bull
Temple, TX - In developing story, a 2-year old girl died Monday after being attacked by a pit bull her family was "watching for a friend." The toddler slipped out of the house and into the backyard where the dog was chained. Temple police identified the victim as Je'vaeh Mayes. Officers were dispatched to the home about 11:30 am. While en route, however, police were notified that a toddler attacked by a dog had just been admitted to the Scott & White Hospital emergency room.

It was determined by officers to be the same victim. Je'vaeh Mayes did not survive her injuries.

The despairing other side of the scenario that involved 38% of all fatal dog maulings in 2013 -- the victim was either visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner when the fatal attack occurred -- is the exact opposite and equally as dangerous, especially for children. When a pit bull or other dangerous dog breed is visiting or temporarily staying with a family with young children. No family should ever agree to "watch" a friend or relative's pit bull or rottweiler under these circumstances.

Sputnik2009 | 2/18/2014 8:48 PM | Flag"No family should ever agree to "watch" a friend or relative's pit bull or rottweiler under these conditions."

No family should ever allow a child to share any physical space with any pit bull type dog under any conditions.

You can't help it if they surprise you on the street or invade your yard or house, but you can at least teach children to (calmly) leave the area as soon as this type of dog approaches.

Colleen Lynn | 2/18/2014 9:02 PM | FlagI don't know if you have seen the recent video, but her family had a pit bull too... (which was suspected).----http://kxan.com/2014/02/18/central-texas-girl-2-fatally-mauled-by-dog/

Kendra | 2/19/2014 11:14 AM | FlagThe people blaming the parents for not catching the girl sneak outside must not have children of their own. Any parent can tell you that toddlers can wander off in a blink of an eye, no matter how vigilant you are.

If she had wandered into a yard with a yorkie or cocker spaniel, she would still be alive.

That's why we babyproof homes. We lock medicine cabinets, put gates around stairs, and put covers in electrical outlets. Another way to babyproof is too often overlooked, though, and that is keeping pit bulls off of your property. Don't allow them in your yard or inside. Don't even keep them in crates, because they are master escape artists.

I'm also sick and tired of pit bull apologists saying it's okay for their dogs to be escape artists, but then blame parents when children are escape artists. If only pit bull owners were half as vigilant about their dogs as they demand parents be about children, then everyone else around them wouldn't be so at risk.

truthbird | 3/06/2014 2:14 AM | FlagOffspring of fatally attacking pit bull being pawned off to the public by the Temple, Texas Animal Services department.

“The owner of the animal failed or refused to claim the animal from the shelter despite numerous calls from city officials,” Temple police Cpl. Christopher Wilcox said Wednesday, so “the animal was declared abandoned and was euthanized in accordance with a City of Temple ordinance.” The younger dogs, however, will be made available for adoption later through the City of Temple’s Animal Services, Wilcox said.---http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Pit-Bull-That-Killed-Local-Girl-2-Euthanized-248661891.html?ref=891